Great idea but flawed in execution
It's great that each kit has its own instructions. The stick-on jewels are wonderful, though they may need a touch of additional glue. The card stock is thick and sturdy and the ornament shape is very pretty, though much larger than I expected. That was ok. The main problem I had with this kit is that the thread included is much too thin for this project. It is completely out of scale to the ornament, so it is hard to see on the card. It was organized with a light knot to secure all the threads, but I couldn't follow the first step of the instructions -- separate and wind each type of thread so they don't get tangled. The thread is so thin it easily knots. It's ridiculous that most of the crafting time is spent trying to untangle the thread, until one gets tired and has to cut out sections of the thread that have knotted in order to progress. It would be good to recommend some tape to secure the ends of the thread to the back of the ornament. Mostly, the thread should be thicker, like embroidery floss strands, and come pre-wound on a little piece of card. This would not increase the cost of the kit much at all, and would ensure this is a fun kit instead of an exercise in frustration. If an adult can't do this, how can a child?
With these adjustments, this would be the incredible craft I expected it to be.
January 14, 2014

Difficult for younger children and string can get in a knot.
This projects looked cute and easy but was difficult for my kids 3-5yrs. The string got raveled up and in knots so it was timely to get started and had to be put together just right to prevent any more knots. Would be more appropriate for older kids and it was really cute when it was done.
January 13, 2014

Won't buy again
The thread in each package is virtually impossible to untangle...even when extremely careful. My 6th graders had a very hard time. Once they were able to untangle some (or cut apart some) of the teeny, tiny thread, they made cute ornaments. It is way too time-consuming to do again.
December 18, 2013

Great If you substitute the String!
If the string it came with was spooled on a card it would be great! Otherwise don't bother trying to unravel the string it comes with. I substituted crochet thread (yarn would be too thick for the template) in various colors and the kids loved doing it! It helps the kids to tape down the thread when they are starting and ending a color. You can put a drop of glue on it when finished it you want to remove the tape. Holding the end of the string, without taping, while starting the weaving is too complicated for little hands. Add vocabulary and concepts such as symmetry, opposite, matching, winding, weave, teeth, tension, clockwise, counter clockwise. Skills used include knot tying, threading, winding and weaving. We did this with 4th graders with little or no crafting experience and encouraged them to work as independently as possible and not rely on the adult in the work group to tape the thread down or tie the knots. It was just challenging enough to keep their attention but not frustrating enough to make them want to give up. I know the 3rd grade group I had the week before would have been too frustrated with this. I would like to have some more string templates for purchase!
December 11, 2013

Wouldn't Purchase Again
I bought these to do at a sleepover for my daughter and her friends. When you pull everything out, the string is SO knotted, it would take hours to get it all straight. The girls finally got tired of the knots and gave up altogether.
December 26, 2012